Police shut down Gay Parade in Mississippi.

[Miles11]

...And tells the attendants that it's illegal to be openly gay in the state.

The state of Mississippi and the South in general isn’t exactly waving rainbow flags or collecting Ellen memorabilia as it isn’t famed for its gay-friendliness. However, the socially backwards Republican bastion of crazy religious fundamentalism and illiteracy is presently the focus of virulently anti-gay resistance as a LGBT march in the state was abruptly shut down, with Police reportedly telling  LGBT Mississippians that it’s “illegal to be openly gay in the state.”

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/03/01/illegal-to-be-gay-in-mississippi-police-shut-down-an-lgbt-march/ - Source.

I...don't really have a comment for this. It's just stupid, really. Completely and utterly stupid.

[Eniliad]

I don't think I can manage a verbal response. So there's that.

Also:

[Morgenleoht]

Clint Eastwood just become a little more awesome in my eyes.

And fuck Mississippi. My home country's having a huge kickass parade at the moment which is a worldwide tourist attraction. I think Bumfuck, Mississippi is jealous they're not as awesome.

[Barbarella]

I'd love to get a big bunch of burly "Bears" to come visit this hicksville.

"SO WHAT'S THIS WE HEAR ABOUT 'NO GAY PRIDE' JIM-BOB?!!!"

"Uh...ahhh...hiii...uh...y'all..."

"THERE'S NO LAW AGAINST BEIN' GAY YOU INBRED!!!

"Uh....y'all go home now!"

"GET 'IM! *AAAARRRGGGGLLLEEEE*"

[Barbarella]

I hope the LGBTs hold a BIGGER ONE AS PROTEST....WIT' DEM BAAARRRS WAVIN' THE STARS & STRIPES AND HUGE SIGNS WITH THE TEXT OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT ON THEM!

[Witchyjoshy]

I'm not seeing where the police actually told them that "it's illegal to be openly gay"

Just that they "reportedly" told them, and that the permit was denied for reasons unspecified.

Which is still terrible.

In fact...

I was there and the police did not tell anyone it was illegal to be openly gay. They stopped the march because the organizer did not purchase an expensive insurance policy. The requirement to have an insurance policy to march is ridiculous but I want to reiterate that those words were not spoken by the police. It was inferred by Get Equal that their actions were saying that to Mississippi's LGBTQ citizens.

[Old Viking]

Even though the cause is good, I must question the reasoning that motivates a gay pride parade in Mississippi.  Even though you have the right, why agitate the troglodytes and knuckle-draggers in their heartland?  What's to be gained?

[Yaezakura]

Even though the cause is good, I must question the reasoning that motivates a gay pride parade in Mississippi.  Even though you have the right, why agitate the troglodytes and knuckle-draggers in their heartland?  What's to be gained?

It's about bringing attention to the cause. And to a certain extent, it's about desensitizing people. For progress to be made, gay people have to move from "rare and unusual, so they stand out" to just a part of daily life. Constant exposure does that. Think about it like living next to a paper mill or an airport--even if you hate the smell/noise, eventually you just get used to it and move on with life.

Admittedly, it's a bit more of an emotionally charged issue, but the exposure does help. No progress is ever made by hiding in the closet right where the bigots want us to stay.

[Lt. Fred]

Even though the cause is good, I must question the reasoning that motivates a gay pride parade in Mississippi.  Even though you have the right, why agitate the troglodytes and knuckle-draggers in their heartland?  What's to be gained?

That's what they said to Martin Luthor King.

[Eniliad]

Even though the cause is good, I must question the reasoning that motivates a gay pride parade in Mississippi.  Even though you have the right, why agitate the troglodytes and knuckle-draggers in their heartland?  What's to be gained?

That's what they said to Martin Luther King.

It's not enough to gain equality in the states that like us. We must have equality in every state. Tolerance is the way of the future, and we can drag these morons into the 21st Century.

[Old Viking]

Folks, I understand the logic of what you're saying, and I have no practical alternative to demonstrating both your presence and your pride.  But shouldn't you take into consideration the mindset with which you're dealing?  (Actually, the word "mind" is inappropriate in this context.)  Parades such as this will be looked upon as pure provocation, and the people you're provoking are not going to exercise critical thinking in their response.  If anything, they will be more incensed and more adamant in their opposition.

Maybe this is the coward's way out.  Or maybe it is the prudent person's way out.  Hell, I don't know.  I admire what you're trying to do, but the manner -- in this instance -- makes me apprehensive.

[Stormwarden]

^See Martin Luther King Jr. as well. He had the same speech given to him. I make the bigots uncomfortable, and force them to try and defend themselves in the court of public opinion as their bigotry becomes unpopular.

[Lt. Fred]

If gays are going to be beaten for existing, let them be beaten in front of cameras.

I understand your concern, Old Viking, I really do. People would probably be badly hurt, even killed. But in the long run, Southerners cannot be allowed to pretend they do not exist. In the long run, Northerners are going to accept the existence of gays. It's really the ignorant, bigoted Southern culture that is the threat, and it's that culture that must be destroyed (frankly, it should have been blown up by shell in 1866).

[Smurfette Principle]

What are we supposed to do? Stay in the closet? Yeah, I'm aware that people are idiots, but you can't let people being idiots stop you, or you'll never get anywhere, because the world has an infinite supply of idiots.

If gays are going to be beaten for existing, let them be beaten in front of cameras.

I understand your concern, Old Viking, I really do. People would probably be badly hurt, even killed. But in the long run, Southerners cannot be allowed to pretend they do not exist. In the long run, Northerners are going to accept the existence of gays. It's really the ignorant, bigoted Southern culture that is the threat, and it's that culture that must be destroyed (frankly, it should have been blown up by shell in 1866).

I would like to defend Southern culture, speaking as a Northerner who lives nine months of twelve in the South. Most of the people I have met are incredibly supportive - there is a support network for trans people in my city, as well as a vibrant LGBTQ community and PFLAG chapter. The only difference between Northerners and Southerners are that Northerners are less obvious about their bigotry. It was in the North that my dad told me not to come out because people would talk, not the South.

[Shane for Wax]

I'm not seeing where the police actually told them that "it's illegal to be openly gay"

Just that they "reportedly" told them, and that the permit was denied for reasons unspecified.

Which is still terrible.

In fact...

I was there and the police did not tell anyone it was illegal to be openly gay. They stopped the march because the organizer did not purchase an expensive insurance policy. The requirement to have an insurance policy to march is ridiculous but I want to reiterate that those words were not spoken by the police. It was inferred by Get Equal that their actions were saying that to Mississippi's LGBTQ citizens.

You need a permit here too. In fact, getting the permit for our gay pride day protected us from the bigots. Which, you know what? We had only a few from out of town and they were stopped by police from going too close to our setup.

This is Augusta, Georgia, people. We've had both of our pride days go off without a hitch. We're not far from Florida or South Carolina. The South can change.